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Atiku Warns Against Mismanagement of Nigeria’s Health Budget, Demands Transparency
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that the funds allocated to Nigeria’s health sector in the 2025 Budget must be safeguarded against corruption, referencing past instances where public funds were allegedly misappropriated under bizarre circumstances involving animals such as snakes, termites, gorillas, and monkeys.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has earmarked $1.07 billion for the primary healthcare sector, in addition to an initial ₦2.48 trillion proposed for the health sector in the 2025 budget. However, Atiku has expressed concerns over the transparency of these allocations and called for strict accountability measures to prevent misuse.
Past Cases of Missing Funds Raise Concerns
In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed multiple reports of missing government funds, often attributed to implausible explanations, with little or no official investigations or accountability. These incidents have fueled public skepticism over the management of national resources.
In a personally signed statement released on Sunday, Atiku emphasized the need for prudent management of public funds, particularly in light of Nigeria’s dwindling resources and the withdrawal of foreign support for critical healthcare services. He insisted that every kobo allocated to the sector must be efficiently utilized to address the nation’s pressing health challenges.
Atiku Questions Source and Utilization of Additional Funds
Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), raised questions about the source of the additional $1.07 billion, revealing that a significant portion of the sum was secured through foreign loans, with contributions from an international donor agency.
He argued that Nigerians deserve full disclosure on the details of these loans, including repayment terms and how the funds will be spent.
“Nigeria is expected to repay these loans, and the people have a right to know the specifics of these borrowings. The government must clearly outline how the funds will be expended and ensure transparency in the entire process,” he stated.
Lack of Investment in Health Infrastructure Raises Suspicions
Atiku also criticized the Federal Government for failing to prioritize physical infrastructure development in the health budget, calling this omission questionable.
According to government reports, the funds are intended to enhance healthcare governance, strengthen primary healthcare services, and improve workforce recruitment, training, and retention at the state and local government levels. However, Atiku remained unconvinced, arguing that without a clear mechanism for accountability, the budget could become a channel for mismanagement.
“Given this administration’s history of mismanaging funds meant for humanitarian purposes, Nigerians cannot afford to accept vague justifications for such a massive budgetary allocation without a clear tracking system in place,” he said.
Atiku Criticizes State of Nigeria’s Tertiary Hospitals
The former Vice President further accused the government of misrepresenting the actual condition of Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals, claiming that despite official assurances of improvements, these facilities continue to lack essential services, including a stable power supply.
Atiku also highlighted the persistent health challenges facing the country, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, and questioned how the proposed health sector intervention funds would be used to combat these diseases effectively.
“If the Tinubu administration is truly committed to prioritizing Nigerians’ health, it must provide a concrete breakdown of how it intends to use these funds to address critical diseases in the primary healthcare sector,” he added.
Government’s Response to U.S. HIV/AIDS Funding Withdrawal Criticized
Atiku also criticized the Federal Government’s response to the recent withdrawal of U.S. funding for HIV/AIDS treatment in Nigeria, calling the proposed ₦5 billion allocation a “paltry sum” that falls far short of what is needed to fill the gap left by international donors.
Calls for Scrutiny and Public Oversight
The opposition leader issued a strong warning that unless the Tinubu administration provides a comprehensive framework detailing how the $1.07 billion health budget will be monitored and implemented, many Nigerians may view the initiative as yet another fraudulent scheme disguised as a public interest program.
Atiku urged the government to subject the budgetary allocations to thorough scrutiny by the National Assembly and implement public audit mechanisms to ensure transparency and prevent potential misappropriation.
“If this administration fails to outline a transparent framework for the proposed health sector investments and refuses to allow legislative scrutiny, then it may be reasonable to conclude that this is yet another scheme to defraud Nigerians under the guise of public welfare,” he stated
With Nigeria facing serious economic challenges, ensuring accountability in public spending especially in vital sectors such as healthcare remains a pressing concern. Atiku’s warning underscores the growing demand for greater transparency, fiscal discipline, and responsible governance to prevent further financial mismanagement and ensure that public funds serve their intended purpose.
